Lads interviewed by TJ Martinez for MNSTRM Media on May 31st, 2019.
What is your favorite song that you and your band have written and why?
Collin: Splinters - The more I listen to it, the more meaning and depth I get from it.
Jake: Keep It Up- is aptly named and is a joy to listen to, this song started off as an idea that was supposed to be completely different but as we all talked and collaborated it grew into a song that is nostalgic and uplifting.
Logan: Pressures & Gestures was the second song I contributed to writing with Lads. I had sent some old verse ideas to Jake and Collin, and the rhythm on the verses was an idea Josh and I messed with between rehearsals. The next time we met up, we brought all of the pieces of the song together and it meshed wildly. The process of this song was when I felt convinced we were really making something meaningful.
Josh: Pressures & Gestures- On top of being an absolute bop, this song, for me, is about how the conversations and events surrounding romantic relationships can often feel like all of the pressure in the world. As serious and hurtful as those words and gestures are in the moment, they are often rather trivial matters. This song perfectly encapsulates that feeling for me.
What is the local music scene like in Spokane, Washington?
The music scene in Spokane is a good one and it’s growing at a surprising pace. There are plenty of genres represented in Spokane and we are excited to see where it is going and hopeful of our place in the growth that is happening.
How do you strive to stand out in an industry with so many artists?
As a group, our efforts to stand out begin with a heavy focus on the business aspect of the band. Operating as a “business”, rather than a group of guys making music, allows us to get the important industry interactions out of the way first, and actually clears up more time and energy for us to spend on the music itself. When it comes time to start producing art, all of that begins separately with who we are as individuals and culminates when we come together to make music that we genuinely enjoy and that is positive and relatable.
Out of all the places you have been and shows you’ve played what is the most memorable of those?
Our first show at Pepe Caldo Pizzeria in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. We have all played live music in one capacity or another, but this was our first time playing our own music in front of a live audience as a band. It was kind of like a bird learning to fly, it was beautiful and scary all at the same time.
Did you grow up surrounded by music or take an interest in it later?
Jake and Josh: We’re brothers and we grew up playing music together. Our musical tastes are definitely different, but we have been listening to and playing music together our whole lives, so we have learned and grown a lot as musicians because of each other. Our parents started us with music lessons when we were young, guitar for Jake and drums for Josh, and we both latched onto playing music and here we are today.
Logan and Collin: If we're honest, friends and family really helped shape what music we listened to growing up as well as what we play now. We’ve both been playing music for quite a while and grew up with our musical tastes being influenced by those we found around us. We would not be the musicians that we are today without those early introductions made by those important people in our lives.
How do you incorporate your roots into your work?
For all of us, our roots mainly come from playing music in church; however, that incorporation is not so much manifested in our sound, but rather through intentionality and meaning behind our writing, as well as our discipline in performance on stage.
Would you all say you complement each other as artists, if so in what ways?
Definitely, yes. It starts with our song writing process, which we all take part in, and naturally flows into the actual music. With Logan on bass and Josh on drums, the rhythm section is always locked in and working together. The vocals, both Jake and Collin, blend extremely well and both theirs guitar sit so nicely in between everything else so that everything comes together and works really well. A large part of that also comes from ability, practice, as well as the positivity and encouragement that comes from within band and from everyone listening to our music.
Is there a specific artist that has made a significant impact on your life?
Collin: Sufjan Stevens
Jake: Matt Corby
Logan: Julien Baker
Josh: David Denison (formally of Mike Mains & The Branches)
What is one of the most important pieces of advice that you would like to share with other aspiring artists?
It’s the art that needs to be taken seriously, not yourself.
Can you talk a bit about the music you already have out?
Right now, the only song we have out is “Splinters”. It is a song about growing up and the pain that comes with that change. It originated from a conversation between Jake and Josh and the experiences they had growing up together; but we feel that it is very relatable, even though the words are so personal. Our second single “Equals at The Table” will be out mid-summer this year and it’s all about interpersonal relationships and how people process and react to differences and change.